As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sol Plaatje University (SPU) and the Office of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Kimberley; the two institutions are actively involved in engagements that seek to uplift and educate not only students at SPU but also to empower staff within the PSC.
On 5 May 2022, the PSC delegates were inducted to a seminar session on the Perspectives of Good Governance, which was co-presented by Dr Hendrik Conradie and Mr Nyawo Gumede, academics within the School of Economic and Management Sciences of the SPU. Dr Hendrik Conradie is a Senior Lecturer in Public Management and Mr Nyawo Gumede is the Programme Coordinator for the Public Management Programme and Convenor for the SPU Panel on Democracy and Service Delivery (Human Science Research Council Project) at SPU.
The context of the presentation revolved around the current conundrum and crisis related to governance, especially within the government sector in South Africa. Issues relating to corruption, theft of public finances, state capture, high unemployment, ineffective delivery of public goods and services and sky-high crime levels were but some of the extreme factors that was raised as an alarming concern that contributes to ineffective government and ineffective governance.
During the presentation, Dr Conradie started off by discussing the core principles of good governance with the attendees. This included the purpose, process, and policies to be adhered to, in ensuring proper execution and accountability. In its repositioning, the PSC intends to play a high catalytic impact role in building effective, innovative, developmental, ethical, and responsive public service in response to changes and challenges. Thus, engagements such as these with key stakeholders such as higher education institutions, plays a fundamental role to help equip public servants with information that will enable them to constantly revisit how their organisation can have a positive influence on government entities. He also emphasised the fact that governing bodies (leaders/ managers) should lead the value creation process by appreciating and understanding that strategy, risk, opportunity, performance, and sustainable development are inseparable elements and/ or components of good governance.
Mr Gumede solidified the seminar presentation by inculcating attendees on the key elements of good governance, focusing on political and economic principles based on research publications authored by him. He thereafter concluded the presentation with a discussion on the types of corruption namely, systematic, and systemic corruption; embezzlement; fraud; and nepotism, being the common depravity in the private and public sector. He warned about the danger of financial fraud in government and billions of rands illegally hidden outside the country by corrupt individuals and the impact that all these have on development and underdevelopment in South Africa.
Mr Gumede recommended that the effective application of the rule of law and establishing structure to engender good governance may help. He furthermore recommended that an Office of Integrity for the country must be created to help entrench ethical conduct by public officials and good governance in the country.
The seminar presentation was well received by the PSC delegation and the possibility of hosting a Northern Cape Good Governance Conference was discussed. This engagement not only strengthened the relationship between SPU and the PSC but also provided the academics with an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with public management practitioners for the benefit of public service in general. The School of EMS is fully aware of the effects of poor governance and trust that this and further engagements will make a positive contribution to improved service delivery.
